[wannabesmallholder]

This might seem a stupid question, but if I get one of those heat lamps on a chain to go over chicks what do I hang it from? I just need a temporary structure, not putting a hook into the ceiling or anything like that. Could I just fit an infrared bulb into a normal desk lamp or does it have to be the poultry specific one?

[chrismahon]

There is quite a variety of lamps but they all need to go into a proper holder as they are high powered and anything less will melt. We hang ours from a pair of step ladders with a broom laid across the rungs.


In the first week we use a Philips 175W red reflector bulb continuously, as they sleep and wake at random. Thereafter we use an electric hen coupled with white or black (dull emitter) bulbs to give background warmth and get them used to daylight hours.


Make sure the flooring initially is anti-slip and keep the water shallow as they can fall asleep in it and drown.


Worth reading up on the rearing process as it's rather too complicated for me to go into more detail. Hatching is simple in comparison.

[Marches Farmer]

Check where the chicks are when at rest.  If they're clustered immediately under the lamp they're cold and it needs lowering a little.  If they're scattered well away from it they're too hot and it needs to be raised.  We run a length of baler twine across the corner of the rearing room, between two heavy duty hooks and hang the lamp from the middle.  I prefer a dull emitter all the way through as I prefer the chicks to mimic natural rearing as far as possible.  I don't like electric broodies as a weak chick can quickly go downhill out of sight and will be sat on by the others.  Once the chicks are a couple of weeks old they tend to jump on top and cover it with droppings.